disturbing Women urged to be vigilant after number of worrying incidents at popular Co Louth bathing spot

Women who use the popular bathing spot at Salterstown, in Co Louth have expressed alarm after a number of worrying incidents in recent months.

Dozens of women of all ages use the amenity on the southern end of Dundalk Bay which has a walkway down into the sea where they go for a swim every day.

However, after a number of sightings regarding men acting in a suspicious manner, an alert has gone out on social media.

In a Facebook post, the Salterstown Sea Swimmers said, “there have been a number of reports in the area recently of a man in a Black Left Hand Drive Black VW Passat with a foreign number plate showing intimidating behaviour towards women swimming alone at Salterstown.

“Please be vigilant, don’t swim alone, report to the Gardai, and share any similar experience below so people can be aware."

One woman replied, asking was there a WhatsApp group she could join, “so that we could see times others are going".

“I haven’t been going regularly for a while now just every now and again but with the kids back to school I like to go in the mornings but I'd be weary on my own now with this happening,” she wrote.

A woman answering the phone number of the WhatsApp group said she had seen other posts from other women describing various disturbing incidents.

"In one post that one woman put up she said she had been followed after she had gone for a swim last Monday night," she said.

“And there were older posts from another woman whose daughter was out walking with her dog, a month ago, who reported some suspicious behaviour to the guards.

"There would have been occasions before when there were robberies from cars but you have to be very careful now. I wouldn't dream of going for a walk along there now on my own."

It was reported that gardai had appealed to anyone who was stalked or harassed around Salterstown beach to contact Ardee Garda Station and make a statement.

They also urged all women not to go sea swimming in the bay on their own and to make sure they have a companion with them for their own safety.

They warned women if they see the suspect in the area again to contact them immediately.

Gardai later confirmed they had arrested a man in his 30s in relation to an incident of harassment in Salterstown, Co Louth on Monday, April 25. He has since been released without charge, pending a file to the DPP.